‘Snowblower on steroids’ called in to clear Highway 22 in Keokuk County

KINROSS — The state had to bring in its “big snowplow” to cut through snow drifts up to 18 feet high in Keokuk County this past weekend.

The gigantic drifts were along the area known as the Keota Curve of Highway 22, an east-west route through Keokuk County that runs through Kinross and Keswick, northeast of Ottumwa.

The state snowplow is described by Iowa Department of Transportation employees as “a snowblower on steroids.”

“This blower is usually up in northern Iowa where we typically see higher snowfall totals,” the Iowa DOT said in a Facebook post. “For this storm, Jeff Nielsen from the Waterloo garage ventured south to help out.”

The stretch of Highway 22 near Kinross, population 80, was declared impassible by the state last weekend.

News of the plow’s travel to Keokuk County spread quickly on social media, as Iowans gawked at the sheer volume of snow, and photos of the area were shared more than 500 times on Facebook.

Locals said the volume of snow was mind-boggling.

“Honestly looks like a mountain road,” South English resident Jennifer Grove said on Facebook. “We saw the state snowblower work last night. It was an impressive machine.”

State and county plows aside, Rebekah Tate of Kinross said local residents were able to move much of the massive snowfall from roadsides and driveways.

“We have a wonderful community here in Kinross, and several people who own heavy-duty … farm equipment (helped) move the snow,” she said. “It really was a community effort to get everything together.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com

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